Multi-state effort focuses on dog lost in Dallas

By Diane Turbyfill

Published: Saturday, December 28, 2013 at 10:52 AM.

Like many unwanted, emaciated dogs, Mabel wound up in an animal shelter and ultimately on death row. But the 3-year-old beagle got a second chance. Staff at the animal shelter in Lancaster, S.C., posted Mabel’s picture online, and a Gaston County woman agreed to adopt her. Mabel was being transported to the Gaston County Animal Shelter, where workers would prep her for adoption, when she ran away. Pregnant with puppies when she escaped, Mabel has likely delivered her litter and found shelter somewhere in Dallas. A group of volunteers has been looking for Mabel and her litter. The team has organized search parties, brought out tracking dogs and set up field cameras. Three weeks later, Mabel’s trail has gone cold. But the group’s organizer says they’re not giving up. “We have never quit yet. It’s easy to quit. It’s not easy to find a dog,” said Kirby Grosso, founder of The Lost Dog Project out of Savannah, Ga.

Animal advocates

Grosso lives in Savannah, but she’s become quite familiar with Gaston County this month. Grosso works with multiple rescue groups, often helping drive animals to and from foster care and animal shelters. While providing that service, Grosso heard of animals escaping. Unlike household pets, these animals may never have anyone search for them. Grosso decided more than a year ago that was going to change. She used her contacts in the animal rescue community to start searching for these lost dogs. The group’s motto — “Every lost dog needs an advocate.” Teams have helped find lost dogs in several states in the eastern part of the country. An online network helps Grosso reach potential volunteers in areas where animals are lost. When Grosso heard about pregnant Mabel, she drove to North Carolina to help.

Unfortunate escape

A volunteer was taking Mabel and her 3-month-old puppy to foster care in Dallas. Mabel was pregnant and in need of veterinary care. During her ride, Mabel started lightly bleeding – possibly an indication she would soon go into labor. The volunteer stopped on Trade Street in Dallas to drop off the two dogs. When the driver opened the car door, Mabel darted off. That was three weeks ago. Grosso said Mabel has more than likely given birth by now. She speculated that the dog has found a shelter for her pups, possibly in a crawlspace or under a house. Mabel hasn’t ever had a bond with a person and will likely run if approached. The situation has been challenging for volunteers who are trying to find the young mother and her pups. “We are not out of options, but we sure are getting frustrated at this point,” Grosso said.

Like many unwanted, emaciated dogs, Mabel wound up in an animal shelter and ultimately on death row. But the 3-year-old beagle got a second chance. Staff at the animal shelter in Lancaster, S.C., posted Mabel’s picture online, and a Gaston County woman agreed to adopt her. Mabel was being transported to the Gaston County Animal Shelter, where workers would prep her for adoption, when she ran away. Pregnant with puppies when she escaped, Mabel has likely delivered her litter and found shelter somewhere in Dallas. A group of volunteers has been looking for Mabel and her litter. The team has organized search parties, brought out tracking dogs and set up field cameras. Three weeks later, Mabel’s trail has gone cold. But the group’s organizer says they’re not giving up. “We have never quit yet. It’s easy to quit. It’s not easy to find a dog,” said Kirby Grosso, founder of The Lost Dog Project out of Savannah, Ga.

Animal advocates

Grosso lives in Savannah, but she’s become quite familiar with Gaston County this month. Grosso works with multiple rescue groups, often helping drive animals to and from foster care and animal shelters. While providing that service, Grosso heard of animals escaping. Unlike household pets, these animals may never have anyone search for them. Grosso decided more than a year ago that was going to change. She used her contacts in the animal rescue community to start searching for these lost dogs. The group’s motto — “Every lost dog needs an advocate.” Teams have helped find lost dogs in several states in the eastern part of the country. An online network helps Grosso reach potential volunteers in areas where animals are lost. When Grosso heard about pregnant Mabel, she drove to North Carolina to help.

Unfortunate escape

A volunteer was taking Mabel and her 3-month-old puppy to foster care in Dallas. Mabel was pregnant and in need of veterinary care. During her ride, Mabel started lightly bleeding – possibly an indication she would soon go into labor. The volunteer stopped on Trade Street in Dallas to drop off the two dogs. When the driver opened the car door, Mabel darted off. That was three weeks ago. Grosso said Mabel has more than likely given birth by now. She speculated that the dog has found a shelter for her pups, possibly in a crawlspace or under a house. Mabel hasn’t ever had a bond with a person and will likely run if approached. The situation has been challenging for volunteers who are trying to find the young mother and her pups. “We are not out of options, but we sure are getting frustrated at this point,” Grosso said.

Organized searches

Grosso said her team has a method. “One of the first things we do is we paper the town with fliers,” she said. Volunteers post fliers and knock on doors. They’ve created a Facebook page, Mabel and Pups Lost in NC. The page has 606 members. Next, the team conducts searches. Grosso said they’ve used tracking dogs and techniques that gave hope at first. Field cameras went up, and Mabel was spotted several times. That seemed to be before the dog had her puppies. Now it’s as if the dog has vanished. Ever determined, Grosso and some volunteers gathered again Saturday to look for the beagle. Dallas residents have been helpful, according to Grosso. She also complimented local police and animal control officers who have helped the team of volunteers.

Christmas gift

Dogs, and especially canine mothers, have a strong protection and preservation instincts, Grosso said. That’s part of why she holds out hope for Mabel and her pups. But Grosso still conducts a thorough search – checking with public works and transportation departments to make sure Mabel hasn’t become road kill. The protective instinct also makes Mabel harder to find, Grosso said. The volunteer said she hopes that as the puppies get a little older they’ll cry and alert someone to their presence. Grosso said her group has an outstanding success rate, and no case is ever closed until the animal is found. If Mabel is found, she’ll be given a different home than originally planned. The woman who intended to adopt Mabel has signed over ownership to Where Hope Lives Humane Society, an organization that will help pay for some of the dog’s medical expenses and assist in finding her a home, Grosso said. Grosso commended the volunteers who have given up time during the holidays to search for Mabel. They’d all like one belated Christmas gift. “Finding this dog would make all of their sacrifices worthwhile,” she said. You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.

Want to help? Volunteers ask that Dallas residents search their property and under their houses for Mabel and her puppies. People should not approach Mabel as she may run away and leave her puppies. If you spot the beagle, call 855-860-5678 and report the location.